Few restaurants have captivated Dublin’s attention as much as All Bar Chicken in recent months. Although, to be fair, the food is good, it’s not just about the food. It’s all about the ambiance, where neon-lit interiors, old movie posters, and retro music combine to create an experience that remarkably resembles a Friday night in 1999, albeit with much better lighting and seasoning.
It’s like entering a vintage dance floor that also serves incredibly crispy tenders when you walk into any of their three locations in Dublin. It’s no accident. The concept behind All Bar Chicken, or ABC as the locals lovingly refer to it, was that a plate of wings could be more than just a comfort food. It might serve as the focal point of discussions, an excuse to get together, and—more and more—a distinguishing characteristic of Dublin’s urban nightlife.
All Bar Chicken Menu Highlights
| Menu Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Double-Fried Wings | Tossed in sauces like Buffalo, BBQ, Satay, or Korean Hot; paired with your choice of dip. | €15.95 |
| Chicken Tenders | Breaded breast strips marinated in buttermilk overnight—plain or dressed in bold sauces. | €12.95 |
| Cauliflower Florets | Vegan-friendly florets, deep-fried and dressed in any signature sauce; satisfyingly crisp. | €11.95 |
| Buffalo Chicken Dumplings | Crispy-bottomed dumplings, pan-fried with a buffalo dipping sauce on the side. | €8.95 |
| Satay Chicken Dumplings | Rich and nutty with an authentic satay flavor profile; ideal for spice lovers. | €8.95 |
| Korean Chicken Dumplings | Pan-fried dumplings with a fiery Korean dip—bold, sharp, and hot. | €8.95 |
| Signature Cocktails | Created to complement the food’s spice and crunch—fruity, zesty, and crowd-pleasing. | Varies |
| Locations | Capel Street, Stoneybatter, Kimmage (Dublin) | — |
| Website | www.allbarchicken.ie , Instagram | — |
Chicken With a Personal Spirit
ABC has achieved an unusually deliberate balance of flavor and crunch by double-frying each wing to order and soaking their tenders in buttermilk overnight. The chicken feels handcrafted rather than hurriedly tossed, and it’s a small business doing big things. The Korean Hot, Satay, BBQ, and Buffalo sauces are more than just condiments. They serve as menu staples and are intended to go well with both cocktails and conversations.
ABC’s strategy is especially creative in the context of contemporary dining, where fast food frequently compromises quality for quantity. The group has demonstrated that it is possible to provide fast-casual cuisine with soul and personality, producing an incredibly satisfying and reasonably priced product.
Where Each Location Tells Its Own Tale
Every All Bar Chicken location has a unique atmosphere that is meant to be enjoyed both while dining and while relaxing. The original and most intimate location, Stoneybatter, is like your best friend’s basement bar: laid-back, nostalgic, and incredibly friendly. It’s perfect for impromptu get-togethers, date nights, and quiet catch-ups.
In contrast, Capel Street is much bigger and livelier, making it ideal for gatherings, birthday parties, and group dinners. Imagine bright signs, flashing lights, and drinks that are presented so beautifully that you want to reach for your phone. The concept is brought to Dublin’s southside by Kimmage, who energizes the area with a venue that strikes a balance between city-style flair and the comforts of a local pub.
ABC is doing something that many chains completely overlook: creating environments that feel culturally aware and contextually authentic by customizing each space to fit its surroundings.
Drinks That Fit the Scene
It may seem like an odd choice to pair fried chicken with cocktails, but ABC does it incredibly well. Drinks like zesty, citrusy mojitos, spiced rums with tropical undertones, or playful takes on traditional drinks like whiskey sour are meant to balance out the richness of the food. The menu seems to be very effective at maintaining a lively atmosphere and a curious palate.
The cocktail menu is expanded to include one-night-only creations for themed events, which adds a new level of surprise and delight. ABC makes sure that even the drinks are crafted, not copied, and feel like a part of the larger show through astute collaboration with local mixologists.
The Things ABC Does Well That Others Don’t
The success of All Bar Chicken can be attributed to a few especially wise choices. They have established a brand that is based on consistency rather than hype. They provide high-quality and enjoyable food. Most remarkably, they have developed an identity that is remarkably distinct without being unduly predetermined.
They have a polished yet playful social media presence. Their employees are amiable and unpracticed. Although their cuisine is nostalgic, it is executed in a surprisingly modern way. All of this adds to the perception that ABC is a habit that is developing in real time rather than just a fad.
Where It’s Going: Integrity-Based Growth
ABC is well-positioned to broaden its appeal in the upcoming years without losing its allure. Although there is already conjecture regarding potential new locations outside of Dublin, the team appears intent on moving slowly and methodically. All Bar Chicken seems dedicated to scaling with intention, which feels incredibly resilient in today’s rapidly changing hospitality landscape, in contrast to some fast-growing chains that run the risk of losing their core.
Their success is based on genuine feedback, devoted customers, and a product that works, not on celebrity endorsements or franchising tricks. ABC’s fried food feels refreshingly different in a sea of sameness, and that’s no small accomplishment.
Reimagined Fried Chicken
The goal of All Bar Chicken is not to alter the course of history. However, it is undoubtedly altering the way that dinner and a night out are done in Dublin. It’s a place where you can laugh aloud and eat delicious food while listening to a Destiny’s Child remix and biting into a satay-drizzled tender.
ABC has produced something remarkably adaptable by appealing to nostalgia while maintaining quality: a communal dining area that makes an impression without seeming overly forced.
You rarely find a concept this self-assured, a menu this entertaining, and a clientele this devoted in the casual dining space. But it’s only the beginning. All Bar Chicken has it all.
